NEWS 15 Forest legend celebrates half century milestone FEW people know the forest like Peter Muhovics does. The skilled tree faller, harvest machine operator and saw-man this week celebrated 50 years working in the industry. An affable bloke with a strong work ethic and competitive streak, his five-decade career has become a local forestry legend. And it is not difficult to understand why. He grew up in Glencoe, the son of a hardworking forest logger. “Dad brought me out to work when I was probably only eight. It was hand-felling with an axe in those days,” said Peter, who lives in Mount Burr, the heart of forest country. “When I was 15, I started paid work. “I’d drive the old FJ without a licence just to get out into the bush.” And barring a brief stint at the Tantanoola Cellulose mill at the age of 18, it is where he has stayed, working with harvest contractors Harry Donald, Peter Huckle, G & R Logging and today Fennell Forestry. Well-known forestry consult- ant Lew Parsons first met Peter 30 years ago while working as a harvest manager for Woods and Forests. “I would head out to the bush to check on harvest operations,” Lew said. “I’d always head straight to Peter because he was very professional ... he knew the forest and the products,” Lew said. “He was also a bit of a bush larrikin and we all enjoyed that.” Lew said, unlike many before him, Peter had managed to endure the many challenges faced by the timber industry. “He’s been able to make the change from a pine faller to a harvester,” Lew said. “There’s probably only two or three people that have done that, most others just walked away from the job altogether. “After Ash Wednesday, it was blokes like Peter in the forest with a chainsaw, cutting up big, black trees ... it’s dangerous work and quite incredible really.” But for Peter, any such praise is easily explained away. “I just love it out here in the forest and I love my job,” he said. “I’m just the old man of the forest.” As a self-confessed chainsaw fanatic, Peter is one of few local people skilled enough to trim the largediam-eter break trees too large to fit in a machine harvester. Working quickly and expertly along such a row in a freshly felled block near Kongorong, it is obvious his skill and workmanship is still strong. But even at 65, Peter is not ready to let go of the job which has afforded him so much, both emotionally and financially. “I’ve always been a piece-worker ... you work hard and you can earn as much money as you want out here,” he said. “The news reports doom and gloom, but there’s always plenty of work to be done and there will be for years and years to come. “I have enjoyed a lot of camaraderie over the years. “I’ve worked with a lot of good blokes and always got along with the bosses. “I’m very lucky.” The feeling is mutual, according to Fennell Forestry managing director Wendy Fennell. “Peter’s skill and experience is unequalled - he is a very valued employee and a true mentor for so many of us at Fennell Forestry,” she said. “He has taught me a thing or two over the years. “For our sake, we hope to have him around for a long time yet.” Boatramp revenue generated MANAGEMENT of the Beachport professional boatyard and slipway will generate about $38,000 in revenue for Wattle Range Council this financial year. Councillor Gwenda Lawlor raised the issue at a recent council meeting and said the facility earned council up to $50,000 per annum in past years. “We made a handsome profit of $40,000 to $50,000,” Cr Lawlor said. “I would be disappointed if it was not making money.” Although staff could not state a figure at the time the matter was raised by Cr Lawlor, the amount was provided before the meeting ended. The boatyard responsibility passed to Wattle Range Council upon its formation in 1997. ITS NEARLY TAX TIME This year make sure you receive your best tax return possible by seeing a tax expert. You’ll be impressed with our pain free experience and we’d love to help. We’re taking appointments now so don’t delay and call us. p 0407 394 029 e info@bradtilley.com.au 669057 FIFTY YEARS: Peter Muhovics celebrates working half a century in the forestry industry this week. Picture: LAURA THOMAS IN BRIEF Delegation expenses passed EXPENSES relating to last month’s Chinese trade delegation have been passed for payment by Wattle Range Council. Mayor Peter Gandolfi has formally thanked councillors for having the confidence in chief executive Peter Harriott and himself to take part. Mr Gandolfi said the delegation had the aims of promoting and attracting investment in the Wattle Range Council area. He said this would create local job opportunities and build the population base. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au Quiz night season kicks off at RSL THE quiz night season is in full swing in Millicent and district with four being scheduled in the month of July alone. The ever-popular annual quiz night for the Millicent Community Builders will be staged at the Millicent RSL Hall at 7pm on July 3. It will be a fundraiser for town beautification projects. Similar functions are ahead to benefit the Mount Burr United Football Club, Bible Society in Australia and St Anthony’s Primary School. School committee members sought A MILLICENT School has put the call out for additional members to serve on an important sub-committee. St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School principal Amanda Parslow has issued the invitation via the weekly school newsletter. “With the new master plan now complete and many of our grounds and maintenance committee members possibly finishing in the next 18 months, I am inviting interested members of our school community to join the committee,” she said. The South Eastern Times, Thursday, June 18, 2015 - 15 673574 669073